Making Waves

For a tsunami to form, water must be displaced. Waves form when a large object enters the water or the seafloor rapidly shifts, displacing water.

Large Object Enters Water

Simple animation of water's behavior when an object is dropped in.

Click image to view animation.

Seafloor Shifts Up

Simple animation of water's behavior when an object is lifted from the bottom of a body of water but does not break the surface.

Click image to view animation.

Seafloor Shifts Down

Simple animation of water's behavior when a chunk of seafloor drops out from under it.

Click image to view animation.

Seafloor Shifts Sideways

A simple animation of what happens to water when an object is moved along the bottom underwater.

Click image to view animation.

Click the tabs to view other forms of displacement.